THE plug may be pulled on a parking free-for-all in a Hereford street where no enforcement can currently take place.

For several months motorists have left their vehicles in Widemarsh Street in the city centre without fear of being ticketed because of an admin loophole.

Herefordshire Council contractor Balfour Beatty is trying to come up with an enforcement plan to stop the nuisance parking which has led to some pedestrians voicing fears of an accident as the elderly and those with pushchairs regularly have to walk around the vehicles into the road.

But before the enforcement can be introduced, the council says it is looking to introduce a temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) from the end of June to tie in with the beginning of work to refurbish High Town. This will prohibit parking on Widemarsh Street at all times, with loading and unloading still permitted from 7am - 10.30am, and 4:30pm - 7pm.

The news has been welcomed by a business trading in the area.

"The TRO in Widemarsh Street will be very welcome," said John Jones, managing partner at Philip Morris & Son.

"Cars parking all day detracts from the shopping appeal of the street and causes an issue parking our vehicles in loading bays."

The matter has been rumbling on for many months now.

Last November, Putson resident Julia Rose said the parking situation detracts from the £1.3million the council spent on refurbishing the area less than six years ago.

This week, she said she fears the scheme might have to be re-done.

"Pedestrians are constantly having to walk in the road as cars and delivery vans and lorries are parked on the pavements," she said.

"Some with wheels half on and half off pavements and others fully parked on the pavements. Often, young mothers and disabled people with walking sticks or in wheelchairs face difficult decisions about whether to squeeze past parked vans or step off the pavement and walk in the road.

"The refurbishment of Widemarsh Street was costly and if the practice of parking on pavements continues, it will not be long before it has to be refurbished again."

Balfour Beatty, on behalf of the council, says it is reviewing the TRO in Widemarsh Street "to enable enforcement and prevent the current issues with parking".

"When works commence on the High Town Public Realm Scheme a traffic order will be implemented on Widemarsh Street to manage traffic during the works which will prohibit parking at all times. Loading and unloading will continue to be permitted from 07:00 – 10:30am and 4:30 - 7pm," the council said.

Traffic Regulations Orders can be used by local authorities to place temporary, experimental or permanent restrictions on traffic within their areas.